| Sea Acres National Park | |
|---|---|
 Boardwalk at Sea Acres | |
  Sea Acres National Park | |
| Location | New South Wales |
| Nearest city | Port Macquarie |
| Coordinates | 31°27′50″S152°55′53″E / 31.46389°S 152.93139°E /-31.46389; 152.93139 |
| Area | 0.76 km2 (0.29 sq mi)[1] |
| Established | 11 March 1987 (1987-03-11)[1] |
| Governing body | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Official website |
TheSea Acres National Park is anational park that is located in theMid North Coast region ofNew South Wales, in easternAustralia. The 76-hectare (190-acre) park is situated near the town ofPort Macquarie. The park is a popular tourist area with a 1.3-kilometre (0.81 mi) long boardwalk through a remnant of seasiderainforest. There is also an education centre and cafe. The park was initially declared as anature reserve in 1987; andgazetted as a national park in October 2010.[2]
Recorded within the reserve are over a hundred types of bird species. Rare species include thewompoo fruit-dove,rose-crowned fruit-dove andosprey. Reptiles include thelace monitor,land mullet and thediamond python. Twenty-one species of mammals have been recorded in the national park, includingkoala,spotted-tail quoll and thelittle bent-wing bat. Two rare types of snail are known here.[3]
Sea Acres National Park contains one of the largest and most intact segments of coastal rainforest in New South Wales.[4] The remnant rainforest area adjacent to Shelley Beach is noteworthy as much of this sea side type of forest has been cleared for agriculture, mining or housing. Common species of tree includetuckeroo,coogara,red olive berry,white walnut,flintwood,strangler fig,sour cherry,Francis watergum,maiden's blush andmock olive.[5]
Vines are common; they includelawyer vine,supplejack, andwater vine.Walking stick palms andBangalow palms are often seen.Epiphytes are common in the taller more protected areas; such as thestaghorn andelkhorn ferns. Thehare's foot fern is an interesting climbing plant in the rainforest. The taller areas in the gully may be considered more sub-tropical rather thanlittoral rainforest.[5]
The widespreadsea hibiscus is found at its southernmost limit of natural distribution at Sea Acres. Another similarly widespread coastal plant is also found at or very close to its southern limit, thescrew pine. This plant is usually associated with Pacific islands in the tropics. The rareflat fork fern was recorded at Sea Acres, but its exact location is currently unknown.[6][7]
Rainforest botanistAlexander Floyd suggests that Sea Acres and similar beachside rainforests near Port Macquarie may be botanical refugia from a warmer period.[5][8]
There are also non-rainforest areas which include grassland,banksia woodland and eucalyptus forest withtallowwood,blackbutt andSydney blue gum.[9]
There are infestations oflantana,morning glory andbitou bush in the park. Dumping of garden refuse makes the problem worse.Feral dogs, foxes and cats have a negative impact upon local wildlife.[4]
